Page 6 of Scotch & Shortbread

“Oh, Quinn, play nice,” Belle scolded her for her pettiness. It was not like Quinn to be spiteful.

“Fine, I know, I know. I don’t wish him ill, but I am glad that I don’t have to pay. I can’t help taking the slightest pleasure in knowing Mr. Hot Cop, Mean Cop, messed up!”

5

It Could Be Any Cop

Astheygotreadyto go out for dinner, Quinn felt a peace in her heart that she hadn't in a long time. Life hadn't always been easy, but here she was, on the precipice of new beginnings. The need for change in her life was almost choking her, so she finally just decided she was going to go for it. Once the decision was made to move to the mountains, she wondered what she had been waiting for. It seemed that people were always dreaming of one day doing “something,” but when was that one day? What moment in time would propel them to go after their dreams and do that “something?”

In the summer, her best friends had talked about meeting up in the mountains for a little pre-Christmas girl’s trip. It was the perfect opportunity. Quinn always dreamed of living in a small town. She'd head to the mountains, meet up with the girls, and then stay for a while. Try it on for size and see if it was the right fit. Maybe it was her thirtieth birthday looming on the horizon that helped propel her to just go for it, but somehow, it seemed the perfect time for a change, the perfect time to get on with the rest of her life. The perfect time to finally write her novel.

After her girls left, Quinn intended to stay at the inn for a week or two in a smaller room until she found a place to rent. She would continue to do her freelance writing, and if she had to pick up some work in one of the local bookstores or cafes, she could do that. But at least here in Calen, she would make writing her novel a priority, and she would get a chance to live a different life.

All freshened up and makeup on, the ladies headed out for dinner. They wandered through the town, taking in all the sights and sounds. Cute boutique shops, cafes, and artisan restaurants lined the main street. Each was decked out in boughs of greenery and twinkling Christmas lights. Holiday tunes played from outdoor speakers, and even the air smelled of the season with some outdoor vendors selling spiced cider and mulled wine.

Of the many restaurants lining the main street, each looked to have its unique appeal, but Belle had researched the one in particular that the girls were headed to. It was known across the country for its hearty home-cooked flavour and cozy aesthetic. As they strolled through the town, Quinn’s stomach growled. She hadn’t eaten anything much aside from cereal in the morning and candy canes on the drive.

“Are we close yet?” she asked.

Belle smiled. “Right here.” She nodded towards the charcoal black framed windows through which soft candlelight created a warm glow against the backdrop of richly coloured walls.

“Perfect.” Quinn grinned pulling open the door to the mouth-watering scent of the food.

“Good call, Belle. This may have been the most satisfying meal I’ve eaten in my entire life,” Meg leaned back in her chair patting her belly as if she were Santa post Christmas Eve cookies.

“Scrumptious,” Quinn concurred. “Oh my God, I’m full though.”

After paying their bill, they headed back out to the main street. The temperature had dropped a bit, but after all the food they’d eaten, they agreed to wander about the town before heading back to the inn.

Quinn felt on a high as she and her friends strolled the decked out town taking in all the Christmas festivities. It was so good to spend time with her girls. She always felt more herself around her best friends. They never lacked conversation, and they were always laughing about something. Quinn was sure she could be stuck in jail with her girls and still have an incredible time. But being in Calen with them felt extra special. The town had so much natural beauty, and with all the Christmas charm everywhere, it was like a dream. She was giddy to go on some hikes and discover all this mountain town had to offer. Quinn loved to write, but she equally adored being in nature. This place could be the perfect fit for her. It could be home. A wave of excitement washed through her.

As they rounded the corner of one of the town streets, Quinn spotted a parked police truck and her heart skipped a beat immediately thinking of Hot Cop. Mean Cop, she corrected in her mind.

Seeming to notice the change in her friend, Belle asked “Are you okay, Quinn?”

“What?” she asked distracted. “Oh yeah, fine.” She smiled, trying to tamp down her ridiculous reaction to seeing a stupid police truck.

“Oooh, a cop truck. You think it’s your cop?” Meg asked with way too much enthusiasm.

“Who cares?” Quinn sniffed. “And he’s notmycop,” she added with a scowl.

“Oh please, you’re not fooling anyone missy,” Meg retorted with a chuckle.

Quinn couldn’t help but smile at her friend calling her out. Her girls knew her too well. She couldn’t keep any secrets. As they got closer to the truck, Quinn felt her pulse quicken, and it annoyed her. Was she worried about seeing him? Well, she had told him she hoped never to run into him again.

“Aww, look there’s a dog inside!” Belle said as they were approaching.

“It’s definitely not the cop who pulled me over then. That guy isn’t nice enough to have a dog,” she scoffed. “Come on, girls. Let’s just go.”

Even though she doubted it was his police truck, Quinn still felt a growing anxiety about possibly crossing paths again. A perverse part of her wanted to see if he was as handsome as she recalled, but the wiser part knew better. It didn’t matter. He was a jerk, and she didn’t need him ruining her lovely evening with her friends.

Belle and Meg ignored Quinn and made their way to the truck window to get a closer look. The moment they did the dog began to bark ferociously.

Belle jumped back and stumbled into Meg. “Holy shit.”

The door to the cafe opened and the cop, Mean Cop…Hot Cop…strode out with a coffee in hand. God help her, he was tall, dark, and stupidly handsome, and for a moment, her heart stopped before it stuttered and started again.

He glanced up, seeing the women at his truck, and his incredible blue eyes caught hers for the briefest of moments. Long enough to send a little shiver down her spine. Why’d he have to look so good?

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